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Trade body takes solar message to House of Lords
Following Logistics UK’s well-attended fringe event on decarbonising logistics at the Conservative Party Conference last week, another logistics trade body has been taking the decarbonisation message to policy makers at the heart of Westminster.
POTENTIAL TO DOUBLE UK’S SOLAR CAPACITY
During its Parliamentary Luncheon at the House of Lords this week, the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) argued that solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on warehouse rooftops could double the UK’s solar capacity, as well as reduce harmful carbon emissions, conserve land and slash energy costs.
Sponsored by Zestec Renewable Energy, the UK’s leading developer of fully funded ‘behind the meter’ solar PV, the event specifically focussed on supporting commercial and industrial businesses to decarbonise their real estate, helping them to achieve their net zero targets and significantly reduce potential power costs in a safe and sustainable way.
ROUNDTABLE TO DISCUSS BENEFITS AND BARRIERS
Zestec is also sponsoring UKWA’s roundtable discussion on the benefits and barriers of solar power for warehouses at One Great George Street, held prior to the House of Lords Luncheon, and attended by invited UKWA members who will hear from Solar Energy UK, Delta-EE and Zestec.
UKWA CEO Clare Bottle said: “We are grateful to Zestec Renewable Energy for its valuable support in helping us raise the important findings of our recent research into solar PV on warehouse rooftops in the heart of government. The company has great experience in the industrial sector and has helped many companies reduce their reliance on the grid, as well as reducing operating costs and improving ‘green’ credentials. We look forward to hearing from all our expert speakers and to pushing this vital topic to the top of the political agenda.”
Zestec is owned by a fund managed by Octopus Energy Generation, which builds and manages renewable energy specifically with the intent of providing ‘true’ green energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Octopus Energy Generation has over £4bn of assets under management and is Europe’s largest investor in solar power with over £1.3bn invested.
DECARBONISING BUILDINGS AS IMPORTANT AS VEHICLES
Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director of Public Policy and decarbonisation lead, Logistics UK, said: “In discussions about decarbonising logistics, people’s thoughts instinctively turn to electric vehicles and the recharging infrastructure needed to support them. However, decarbonising the sector’s commercial buildings is just as important as decarbonising its commercial vehicles.
“As the warehousing sector possesses around a third of all commercial roof space, it is uniquely well placed to support the rollout of solar PV panels and boost the UK’s solar capacity. We applaud this initiative from UKWA and Zestec Renewable Energy and their campaigning activity to bring it to the attention of policy makers at the heart of government.”
UKWA’s report into the benefits and barriers of installing solar PV on warehouse rooftops can be downloaded in full.
*www.logistics.org.uk/environment
Published On: 13/10/2022 15:50:00
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